Apparatus for sensing the predetermined level of continuously fed particles

ABSTRACT

The apparatus according to this invention is adapted to be fixed within a receptacle into which particles are continuously fed. When the level of the particles reach the apparatus and the particles cover a cone provided with said apparatus, said cone descends and closes the switch of the electrical circuit containing a signalling apparatus and, if desired, apparatus for suspending the feed and discharging the contents of the receptacle. Several forms of the cones are also shown.

United States Patent 862.026 7/1907 Srnith UNITED STATES PATENTSNagashima 14 1 Mar. 21, 1972 s41 APPARATUS FOR SENSING THE 2,768,01310/1956 Hunt ..200/6l.2l x ED TE LEVEL OF 3,018,343 1/1962 Grostick..200/6l.2l 3,097,273 7/1963 Denner ..200/153.19 UX CONTINUOUSLY FEDPARTICLE-S 3,303,304 2/ 1967 Campbell, Jr. et a1 ..200/6l.42 [72]Inventor: Hiroshi Nagashima, Osaka, Japan l I Primary Examiner-J. R.Scott [73] Asslgnee. gloken Kogyo Kabushlki Keisha, Osaka, Anomey josephJ Juhass apan 221 Filed: Dec. 19, 1969 ABSTRACT [2]] App] NO: 886,497The apparatus according to this invention is adapted to be fixed withina receptacle into which particles are continuously 4 fed. When the levelof the particles reach the apparatus and [52] U.S. Cl ..200/6l.2,ZOO/61.21, 200/153 T the particles cover a cone provided with saidapparatus, said Cl "H0111 H lh cone descends and closes the switch ofthe electrical circuit [58] Field of Search .....200/6l.2, 61.21, 61.42,82.3, containing a signalling apparatus and, if desired, apparatus forZOO/83.34, 81.9, 153.19, 82 D, 83 G, 81.9 R, 153 T suspending the feedand discharging the contents of the receptacle. Several forms of thecones are also shown. [56] References Cited 2 Claims, 8 Drawing FiguresPATENTEDMARZI I912 3,651,289

sum 1 OF 2 IN VENT OR myww BY w @M ATTORNEY Pmmmmzv 1912 I 3,651,289

sum 2 BF 2 BY (a x ATTORNEY APPARATUS FOR SENSING THE PREDETERMINEDLEVEL OF CONTINUOUSLY FED PARTICLES The apparatus according to thisinvention is arranged at a proper position within a receptacle intowhich particles are continuously fed. When the level of the particleswithin said receptacle reaches a predetermined height, the apparatusfunctions automatically to close an electric circuit containing anapparatus for signalling the reaching of the predetermined level and, ifdesired, apparatuses for suspending the feeding as well as dischargingthe contents of the receptacle whereby a definite quantity of theparticles may be easily measured and removed from the receptacle.

The apparatus according to this invention comprises a housing, aswitching means such as a micro switch or other pressure responsiveswitching element arranged in said housing, a vertical rod projectingupward from said housing and cooperating with said switching means, acone attached to the upper end of said rod for receiving the particlesthereon and a spring for normally maintaining said cone and rod in theascending position, but which is yieldable to the weight of theparticles gathered on the cone so as to permit the cone and itssupporting rod to descend in order to operate the switching means.

During the feeding operation, the level of the particles within thereceptacle rises gradually. After the level passes by the housing of theinvented apparatus, the particles begin to gather upon the cone and theweight thereof causes the descent of the cone. Since the particles existbelow the cone, it is essential that the cone should descend easilywithout much resistance in order to ensure the high sensitivity of theapparatus. For this purpose, I have devised several appropriate coneforms as later explained.

This invention will be clearly understood with reference with thefollowing description as well as the accompanying drawings in which,

FIG. 1 is a side view of the apparatus according to this invention withpartial sectional view and,

FIGS. 2-8 show seven types of the cones.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a receptacle. 2 is the housing of the apparatusaccording to this invention attached at a proper position by a lateralarm 4 to the side wall of the receptacle 1. 3 is a micro switch arrangedin the housing 2. 6 is a vertical rod cooperating with the push button 7of said micro switch. A part of the rod 6 projects upward from thehousing 2 and supports a cone 5. A spring 8 is provided to maintain thecone and the rod 6 at the ascending position. Bellows 9 surround theupper portion of the rod 6 and prevent particles from intruding to theinterior of the apparatus.

The function of the apparatus is as follows:

During the feeding operation, the level of the particles within thereceptacle 1 rises gradually upward until it reaches and, then, passesby the housing 2 of the apparatus. Finally particles begin to gatherupon the cone 5. When a sufficient quantity of particles gathers uponthe cone 5, the weight thereof causes the cone 5 together with the rod 6to descend whereby the rod 6 depresses the button 7 of the micro switch3 so as to close the circuit containing the signalling apparatus andapparatuses for discontinuing the feeding operation and discharging thecontents of the receptacle 1.

When the contents of the receptacle 1 are discharged, the cone 5 willreturn to the initial raised position by means of the spring 8 and themicro switch 3 will again resume the off position. Therefore, byrepeating the above operations, substantially equal quantity ofparticles may be taken away every time from the receptacle 1.

In order to facilitate the descent of the cone, I have devised severaltypes as shown in the drawings.

The cone 5 shown in FIG. 1 is preferably made from plastic material andits lower edge portion 11 is stiff and vertically extending. The cone ofthis type is adapted to be used for particles of fine size or powder.

However, if the particles be of a larger size (say 4-10 mm.

dia.), the particles gathered below the skirt of the cone will greatlyhinder the downward movement of the cone and in extreme case theapparatus becomes inoperative.

In order to overcome such a defect, I have improved the cones as shownin FIGS. 2-8.

The cone 5A shown in FIG. 2 is preferably made of soft elastic materialsuch as rubber and is covered with a metal or hard plastic cap 12. Theround edge 11A of this cone 5A is made much flexible by means of acircular groove 10A formed around the inner surface of the cone.

The cone 58 shown in FIG. 3 is preferably made of comparatively softplastic material. The edge 11B is vertically disposed and the cone isprovided with rows of inner grooves 10B between the top and the base.

In the cone 5C shown in FIG. 4, the skirt 11C is downwardly disposed andis provided with bellows 10C.

The cone 5D shown in FIG. 5 is provided with a skirt 11D consisting of acoil spring.

The cone 5F shown in FIG. 6 is provided with a vertically downcast edge11F and inner groove 10F. The cone 5G shown in FIG. 7 is similar to thecone 5F except that it has a round edge 11G. Said cone is provided withinner grooves 10G. The cone 5E shown in FIG. 8 is comprised of a spiralof metal or plastic strip 11E.

If desired, in place of conical forms, pyramidal cones may be employed.

What I claim is:

1. An apparatus for sensing the predetermined level of continuously fedparticles comprising a laterally projecting casing attached to a sidewall of a receptacle, a micro-switch contained in said housing, avertically extending rod having a lower end bearing upon a push buttonof the micro-switch, the upper end of said rod supporting a cone, aspring disposed within the laterally projecting casing about said rodfor holding said rod in a raised position, a flexible cover forpreventing particles from entering into the housing, the cone beingprovided with a downwardly directed lower edge.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cone is composed ofyieldable material so that the same is yieldable under the weight of theparticles gathered upon the cone.

1. An apparatus for sensing the predetermined level of continuously fedparticles comprising a laterally projecting casing attached to a sidewall of a receptacle, a micro-switch contained in said housing, avertically extending rod having a lower end bearing upon a push buttonof the micro-switch, the upper end of said rod supporting a cone, aspring disposed within the laterally projecting casing about said rodfor holding said rod in a raised position, a flexible cover forpreventing particles from entering into the housing, the cone beingprovided with a downwardly directed lower edge.
 2. An apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the cone is composed of yieldable materialso that the same is yieldable under the weight of the particles gatheredupon the cone.